Prince George could soon be introduced to a centuries-old royal tradition that some have labeled as “gruesome,” as part of his role in the royal family.

As the eldest child of Prince William and Princess Kate, 11-year-old George may take part in one of the monarchy’s more controversial customs during the family’s upcoming summer visit to Balmoral Estate in Scotland.

A Historic Family Tradition

According to royal author Duncan Larcombe, George is expected to join his family at Balmoral, where many royal customs are passed down. In his book Prince Harry: The Inside Story, Larcombe suggested that George may be included in a traditional stag hunt, a practice long associated with royal life.

But more notably, he hinted that the young prince could experience a controversial initiation ritual tied to the hunt. “The palace has refused to comment on claims that Prince George will be initiated into one of the slightly more gruesome royal traditions this summer,” Larcombe wrote. “It was reported that he will join his father on a stag-hunting shoot while they visit the Balmoral Estate this month. Traditionally, the blood of a hunter’s first kill is spread on their face, a ritual that goes back centuries.”

He also mentioned that although Kate has participated in hunts in the past, it’s still unclear whether George will be expected to follow the same path.